Danish Succession Vote Gives Controversy

Over the weekend, the Danish people voted in the succession rights referendum, which was is to give gender equality to throne.

The law currently favors sons over daughters, but this was the time for the Danes to say any member of the royal family could inherit the monarchy, regardless of gender.

While 75 percent of Danish voters said yes to change the succession law, it was not enough to do so. This is because 40 percent of the electorate are required to make the change. Only 37. 9 percent of the electorate turned out for the vote, 2.1 percent less than needed, according to some published reports.

Others say 49 percent voted.

Also, there were plenty who said no or gave a blank ballot. The Copenhagen Post believes this is may have to do with republicanism or Danes upset that the government will not do an overhaul of the constitution. This could lead to the Danish people wondering if they should keep their royal family.

“You can interpret the “no” and blank votes as an expression of dissatisfaction that applies to more than just the law of succession. It’s first and foremost discontent with the royal family,” said Jes Fabricius Møller, of the University of Copenhagen.

An estimated 10 percent gave blank ballots. About 11.6 percent voted no to the referendum.

Although it is believed that Queen Margrethe II is very popular with her people, this succession vote has some wondering if the royals are as popular as believed.

“If its popular foundation began to wane further, the discussion about its future could suddenly turn serious,” Moller said.